17 Facts About Alexander Hemphill

Alexander Hemphill was a Democratic lawyer and politician from Philadelphia who served as City Controller from 1958 to 1968.

Alexander Hemphill ran for mayor of Philadelphia in 1967 against the incumbent Democrat, James Tate, but was unsuccessful, and retired to a private law practice until his death in 1986.

Alexander Hemphill was the eldest child of John M Hemphill and his wife, Anne Price Hemphill.

Alexander Hemphill was born into a politically prominent family, members of which served for seven generations as Chester County Democratic Party chairmen.

Alexander Hemphill attended high school at St Andrew's School in Delaware before enrolling at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was president of the freshman class and a player on the varsity soccer team.

Alexander Hemphill lost the election, narrowly, to the incumbent Republican, Hugh Scott.

Alexander Hemphill was more successful in 1957 when he was the consensus pick for the Democratic nomination for City Controller.

Republicans demanded that a grand jury be convened to investigate further, but Judge Raymond Pace Alexander Hemphill rejected their petition.

Alexander Hemphill launched an investigation into kickbacks in the Streets Department in 1962.

Alexander Hemphill considered retiring from office in 1965, saying that "two terms is enough," but ultimately acceded to a draft by Democratic ward leaders for one more term.

Alexander Hemphill was reelected in that year's election, defeating Republican James R Cavanaugh, as expected by political pundits, even as the Democratic district attorney went down to defeat the same day.

Alexander Hemphill spent much his third term arguing with City Council over their attempt to borrow $20 million for the Gas Works in a procedure that Hemphill claimed lacked the necessary financial safeguards.

Republican organization leader William A Meehan suggested publicly that if Hemphill wished to run as a Republican instead, that the party would welcome him.

Alexander Hemphill chose to remain with the Democratic Party and resigned his office to enter the race on January 30,1967.

Alexander Hemphill vowed never to run for public office again, but he did later make several bids for city council, all unsuccessful.

Alexander Hemphill returned to a private law practice and was active on the boards of several charitable organizations.

In 1986, Alexander Hemphill died suddenly at the age of 64 while at work in his law office.